**Kurt:** The one guy the Cowboys would like to see, in fact, need to see make a big jump is Donovan Ezeiruaku, who is currently recovering from offseason hip surgery. He certainly showed promise last year, playing defensive end in all 17 games with nine starts and a pair of sacks. Now, as an edge rusher in Christian Parker's scheme and with more pass-rushing help around him, he'll hopefully have additional opportunities to get to the quarterback.
But would that be considered a surprise? Perhaps not, considering he was a second-round pick a year ago.
Instead, maybe a returning guy who could provide an unexpected jolt for the defense is Shemar James. When it comes to the linebacking corps, he hasn't been talked about much, due in part to his up-and-down rookie effort. Still, as a fifth-round selection in 2025, he wound up leading the Cowboys with 91 tackles while chipping in 1 ½ sacks and a forced fumble.
And while DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters seem to be the favorites to start inside, James at least has some experience at the position, both in college and from his first pro season. He's got work to do, yes, but if he can take a big leap forward working under new coaches and within an upgraded system, James could be a catalyst for the improved linebacker play the Cowboys so desperately need.
Which would indeed be a nice surprise.